Прокляття мумії, або Камінь Семи Зірок

           "Whatisit?"Iaskedhim."Iseeyouwishtospeaktomeprivately."

           "Quiteso,sir!MayIspeakinabsoluteconfidence?"

           "Ofcourseyoumay.InanythingthatisforthegoodofMissTrelawny—andofcourseMr.Trelawny—youmaybeperfectlyfrank.Itakeitthatwebothwanttoservethemtothebestofourpowers."Hehesitatedbeforereplying:

           "OfcourseyouknowthatIhavemydutytodo;andIthinkyouknowmewellenoughtoknowthatIwilldoit.Iamapoliceman—adetective;anditismydutytofindoutthefactsofanycaseIamputon,withoutfearorfavourtoanyone.Iwouldratherspeaktoyoualone,inconfidenceifImay,withoutreferencetoanydutyofanyonetoanyone,exceptminetoScotlandYard."

           "Ofcourse!ofcourse!"Iansweredmechanically,myheartsinking,Ididnotknowwhy."Bequitefrankwithme.Iassureyouofmyconfidence."

           "Thankyou,sir.ItakeitthatwhatIsayisnottopassbeyondyou—nottoanyone.NottoMissTrelawnyherself,oreventoMr.Trelawnywhenhebecomeswellagain."

           "Certainly,ifyoumakeitacondition!"Isaidalittlemorestiffly.Themanrecognisedthechangeinmyvoiceormanner,andsaidapologetically:

           "Excuseme,sir,butIamgoingoutsidemydutyinspeakingtoyouatallonthesubject.Iknowyou,however,ofold;andIfeelthatIcantrustyou.Notyourword,sir,thatisallright;butyourdiscretion!"

           Ibowed.